2020 Term 2, Week 3

For this week’s newsletter I just want to reinforce a few things I had sent to you over the past week.

One question I have been asked pertains to parents with children in multiple year levels and whether all their children will be allowed to return at once.  Unfortunately, only the children in the approved year levels will be able to come to School on Monday.  For example, if you have one child in Pre-Prep and another child in Year 2, your Year 2 child must continue to stay home from school unless you meet the definition of an essential worker or they are vulnerable. I realise that this is somewhat inconvenient, but these are the restrictions placed on us as school.

Once students in specific year levels are able to return then the remote learning arrangements for these year levels will be discontinued (unless they are being taught by a vulnerable staff member).  Remote learning will only continue for students in year levels not yet required to return to school. This means that from Monday 11 May the online platforms for Pre-Prep, Prep, Years 1, 11 and 12 will be turned off.

If parents choose to keep their children home from school after their child’s year level is able to return to School please be aware that we will not be able to provide remote learning opportunities for them.  I apologise for that, but it is near impossible for a teacher to provide both options.

While I am really looking forward to seeing students back at School on Monday, I do want to extend a thanks to the students and teachers who will continue remote learning for at least the next two weeks.  It has been a big adjustment for many but the way in which learning is taking place has been most encouraging.  Thank you for your support and persistence in engaging with your learning in this way.

Dr Paul Browning 
Headmaster

Essential skills for 2020 and beyond:

1. Analytical thinking and innovation
2. Complex problem-solving
3. Critical thinking and analysis
4. Active learning and learning strategies
5. Creativity, originality and initiative
6. Attention to detail, trustworthiness
7. Emotional intelligence
8. Reasoning, problem-solving and ideation
9. Leadership and social influence
10. Coordination and time management

I trust you will notice that our Realms of Thinking Dispositions and our Ways of Being Virtues are well-represented on the list.

I’d like to draw your attention to three of the skills on the list and make connections with the Life Lessons Activity Grid that I have been providing for students in the secondary school (current edition available here).

As an example of complex problem solving, you might like to encourage you child to have a go at the Design Challenge – make a bridge to span a distance of 30cm, that will support the weight of 8 Matchbox cars, just using regular spaghetti and PVA glue.

To develop creativity, why not try the Recreated Art challenge – Recreate a famous painting, just using materials you have at home. See some wonderful examples at https://www.sadanduseless.com/recreated-art/

Finally, to work on emotional intelligence, why not have your child begin a Gratitude Journal, in which they find a notebook and, each day, write down three different things they are thankful for. It’s good for their mental health too, by the way.

These activities are designed to complement the online learning which continues. They are optional and extra-curricular but, I believe, can add value to regular lessons. Students who complete challenges are encouraged to share their “product” with their family and also with their Tutor or House Leader.

Mr Nigel Grant
Executive Director of Faith & Community

I have just been amazed with the uptake on lessons, their response to feedback from teachers and how quickly they adapted to the situation.

Thank you parents for also persisting and supporting children even while many of you balance your own work!  Not an easy task!!

I am so looking forward to next week when we will have some of our children return – and really, really looking forward to when we are all back together at school!!

I challenge you all to think about some positive changes that may have occurred for your family in this time, that you may keep moving forward!

Keep safe,

Mrs Marianne Connolly
Director Junior School

Red Class – Hao-Chun (Louis) Tsai

Green Class – Thitiwatch (New) Chang

These students received this award for demonstrating diligence in their classes. Specifically for engaging well, completing all assigned tasks and responding well the questions.

Congratulation Louis and New!

Returning Year 11 and 12 students, as well as children of essential workers from Year 4 to Year 10, may use the Music Centre to have lessons with their Music Tutors, but these will be in the same format as the last few weeks on Teams. Students will need to bring their own laptop with them and sign in and out of the Music Centre as usual. Parents and students have been emailed with more specific information regarding lessons in Weeks 4 and 5.

• – Junior School ensembles (except for Year 4 Band, which is continuing as they did in Term 1 for the moment) all have a Seesaw page. Ensemble Directors will upload weekly tasks to these pages on the day that students would usually have their rehearsal, and these tasks will be due by the following week.
• – Secondary ensembles (except for Symphony Orchestra and Worship Band which are not currently running) are having live meetings via Teams at their regularly scheduled rehearsal time.

While it’s not possible to have rehearsals in which students all play at the same time because of the lag that happens in online situations, Ensemble Directors have been very creative in designing activities that propel students forward in their learning, and help to recreate as much as possible the feeling of playing alongside other people. Yesterday Big Band had ‘sectionals’ in break-out video conferencing groups and St Paul’s Chorus had a ‘silent’ rehearsal. Stage Band will be producing a music video and St Paul’s Singers are working on a collaborative audio recording of one of their pieces. We’re looking forward to hearing the results, and to seeing what other interesting projects our ensembles are involved in over the next month!

In Week 4 we’re looking forward to welcoming past student Shania Perera on Tuesday and one of our Executive Music Captains, Grace Spinks, on Thursday. Go to @musicsps on Instagram at 1pm on these days and click on the logo to hear our talented musicians.

Where possible we ask that orders be made through flexi schools.  These orders will be delivered to your child’s tutor or class in Junior school.

If you require assistance with any specific uniform requirement, appointments can be made by ringing the Retail shop on 3261 1388.  There may be a delay in assisting you if you arrive without an appointment.  Appointments will be available Monday 11 May from 8am.

Upon arrival, please wait in Reception.

If you have any uniform enquiries, please ring Retail on 3261 1388

SENIOR SCHOOL

Seniors will be notified as soon as the Senior Jerseys arrive.  These will be distributed through Tutor Group.

Embellished blazers have returned.  Please ring the Retail Shop to arrange payment over the phone.  Once paid for, blazers will be  distributed through Tutor Group.

Blazers are compulsory for Term 2 and 3.  If you require a new blazer, please order through Flexischools or make an appointment for a fitting.

JUNIOR SCHOOL

A Retail Pop Up Shop will operate in the bus shelter at the Junior School Car Park on Monday the 11^th and 18^th and Thursday the 14^th and 21^st of May from 8am to 9am. Only Pre-Prep, Prep and Junior School track tops and track pants will be available.  Multiples of items and other items can be purchased through Flexischools and will be delivered to your child’s classroom.

Only Eftpos payments will be accepted.

The Retail Shop is open from 8.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday (during School term time only).

The uniform requirements at St Paul’s School vary depending on what year level students are in.

For a full breakdown of uniform requirements per year click HERE.

Join one of the eSafety webinars for parents and carers. They’re free!

These live webinars explore the latest research and expert advice for using technology safely. They are a great way to learn how you can help your child develop the skills to be safer online.

All sessions are delivered by eSafety expert, Greg Gebhart.

Tips on Staying Safe Online during the Covid 19 Pandemic: esafety.gov.au/key-issues/covid-19

Free webinars for Parents and Carers: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

There are upcoming sessions on:

• – Keeping safe and healthy online
• – Keeping your sanity and supporting your kids online
• – My house, my rules

Judy Bolton
St Paul’s Online Safety Champion

It is vital that all contact details remain up to date so that we can contact you as necessary and continue providing your family with relevant information via email, phone and post.

As of last term, parents/guardians can report their child’s absence from school via parent lounge.  An email detailing the process will be sent to you in the coming days.

If you have forgotten your Parent Lounge password, you can reset this yourself via the Parent Lounge login screen. If you have forgotten your Parent Lounge username, please contact the School’s reception.

This change is another improvement in the School’s approach towards child protection as it adds a level of security and authentication to child absences from school.  If you have any questions please contact the Risk and Compliance Officer, Renaye Ansell ([email protected])

Please note, if your child will be absent for three days or longer email your child’s House Leader.

For a detailed look 2020 and 2021 dates, see HERE.

Any students requiring an appointment should email Counselling Administration Assistant Mrs Rexina Harding [email protected] or phone 3261 1388.

Black Dog Institute FREE Webinars 

Black Dog Institute is the only medical research institute in Australia to investigate mental health across the lifespan, with the aim to creating a mentally healthier world for everyone.

They do this through ‘translational’ research. Integrating research studies, education programs, digital tools and apps, clinical services, and public resources to discover new solutions, foster connections and create real-world change.

To that end, the Institute has developed numerous webinars which they are offering free of charge to increase the mental health knowledge of entire communities.

To find out further information and register for these webinars please go to: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-training/community-and-schools/upcoming-webinars

St PAUL’S SCHOOL CAREERS

Career information is available on the St Paul’s School Careers website at https://www.stpaulscareers.com.au/

Click HERE to see the latest newsletter from the website host, Career Tools.

USEFUL CAREERS WEBSITES